German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he would not advise his children to study or work in the United States, citing a changing social climate and difficulties even highly educated people face in finding jobs there. He made the remarks while addressing a youth Catholic conference in Würzburg, amid ongoing tensions with US President Donald Trump over the Iran conflict.

Merz’s comments drew immediate backlash from Trump’s camp. Former US ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell accused Merz of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and claimed the chancellor had previously acted deferentially toward Trump. Germany’s far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel also criticized Merz, saying his stance was hypocritical given Germany’s own economic challenges.

The dispute comes as US-European relations face strain over trade and military aid to Ukraine. Merz, struggling to revive Germany’s weak economy, has previously criticized US-Israeli actions in Iran and their impact on European interests. Despite tensions, he said he remains committed to maintaining strong transatlantic ties under NATO.